This drama had great character and potential, but somewhere along the way the storyline became obvious in indirect ways and it started to become boring to me. However, I watched to the very end (as a fan of the scriptwriter and actors).
Though I give this drama more of an in-between, I recommend watching this for yourself because it's not a drama any k-drama fan would regret watching! It has action, fan-service, parts where you would laugh your head off, parts you would cry, and parts where you would just fall in love with not only the main actors, but all of the characters (well maybe not all - it depends on you).
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This drama had potential, but I don't know what went wrong with it. It dragged on for more than I had anticipated, maybe it would have worked if it had fewer number of episodes? Don't know. You can easily miss it if need be.
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I wanted to enjoy this one
This is not a terrible drama by any means. The effects, cinematography and music place you in an almost magical, ethereal visual experience. But when I thought about it more, if you remove all that, you're left with an average story that turns out to be incredibly predictable from episode 2. I will say the first episode is one of the best first episodes I've watched for a drama but I found myself predicting everything afterwards down to the last twist.There are a few things in this drama that became repetitive and episodic, mainly the cases and the dream part. At times things felt a bit too convenient and the lack of tension died because you knew things were going to be okay and they always were. When a MC got hurt I knew they'd recover, I knew they'd catch the bad guy of the week/episode and move on to the next one. Overall it did not feel like there was an overarching plot throughout the drama until the very end. I'm not counting the backstory because you can tell that one in one episode of flashbacks and as soon as we saw the boy in the baseball cap I knew it was the FL. It's not very well disguised and the drama underestimates their audience by making it feel like a surprise when the reveal happens when it was a bit obvious.
The chemistry for the main couple... this is hard for me because I absolutely love Lee Jong Suk, he's probably one of the most lovable actors for me. But I just didn't feel his chemistry with Suzy and honestly I think this is because I have seen LJS with much better female leads and I buy their relationship a 100%, whereas in this one I was constantly feeling the acting between the 2 whenever they shared screentime. I do not think this is entirely his fault, he did what he could with the character and his FL.
There is something defenitely off about Suzy's acting. It felt forced and not entirely honest during the entire thing. Like that one girl that tries to be quirky and funny on purpose and it comes out as dishonest and try-hard. I'm sorry if I'm being too harsh on her, but I just think she didn't do much with her character and that affected her on screen relationship with ML. That being said both characters are a little one-dimensional and maybe that's why I couldn't relate to her in particular. Her character is represented as flawless most of the time. His as well, but hers even more so.
I think this is because they both have these second hand embarrasment moments throughout the whole drama. (It got old and broke the mood on a lot of scenes.) But while LJS's character had them and the side-characters acknowledged it was cringe and unprofessional and it was something LJS's character seemed to improve on and learn from - one example is when he used his cringe to interview the child witness - for Suzy's characters it is represented as endearing and quirky and lovable from day 1 and it never serves a purpose other than to show she's cute and not like other girls.
The drama was afraid to paint her in any sort of negative light and it was counterproductive. Let her be human too. Let her be cringe and weird in the other characters eyes as well. I could not fathom why everyone saw this human disaster as a femme fatale when in fact she's just as a perfect match for her one brain cell idiot boyfriend. That would have been incredibly lovable. But the drama is afraid to go all the way. If you introduce this weird girl as a weird girl (literally in caps), don't make her cool at the same time in the eyes of everyone else. She's cringe my dudes, and that is perfectely okay. He's cringe, she's cringe, they will be cringe forever and have little cringe children. Embrase it. A perfect moment for this would have been when everyone was describing her character in the elevator as a femme fatale and this sexy badass lady, but then have her defy all expectations by making her ridiculous in front of everyone and they going like... yes this is definitely Jae Chan's girlfriend.
That's my take on her, but I might be a minority here. It's fine if you disagree.
The writing is okay. I enjoyed the backstory the best rather than the episodic current events. But like I said before, the main plot line got repetitive. The villain was one dimensional while trying too hard to be protrayed as a more interesting character, the drama just scratched the surface with him. He had some interesting quirks like the paper thing and the hand washing thing, but we never explore him as a character nor his motivations. Instead of spending 95% of screen time on the couple, spend 85% on the main couple and give me more backstory with this villain. He has tons of potential with his relantionship with ML and the inspector. But the one with the inspector just got shoved as a last minute thing and I never quite grasped why he was so nasty towards ML when they were younger. Maybe explore something like jealously between them, maybe he was envious ML had a better life with his Chief of Police dad while he had to work in order to be able to pay for school or something. Just so much wasted potential.
All in all this drama is not the worst thing I have seen. I know it can sound like that in this review. But it's just so incredibly disappointing maybe because my expectations were so high after watching Pinocchio and I Hear your Voice. Both of these are miles better than this one in terms of story and acting. The one thing I will give this drama is that it is pretty to look at. A beautiful cake on the outside that is bland in flavour.
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Lee song juk
This is a beautiful story. It is just like a dream. If you love to watch dreams or if you love fantasy you will definitely love it. The story started with a dream and ended with a reality. As we all know that time flows in it's own direction, this drama has the same message. I highly recommend this drama to everyone. And ofcourse you will fall in love with LEE JONG SUK for sure after watching this one. This drama has everything. It is a fine mixture of dream and reality. It has a happy ending. The songs of this drama are so good that you surely will fall in love with them.Was this review helpful to you?
I am always skeptic when I start a drama because I have dropped tons of dramas which I was really excited to watch but in the end, all they did was disappoint me. However, this wasn't the case with WYWS. The idea was interesting, the characters were convincing, the plot was keeping me on the edge of my seat most of the time.
Jae Chan was the typical good guy, someone every girl can't help but fall in love with and, let's face it, we cannot resist him! He's good looking, he's charming, funny, smart and even his innocent side, the side which wants to believe everyone has some good in them, even though it makes him look like a dummy sometimes is charming.
Hong Ju was ok. I am one of those people that does agree with the fact that Suzy has to step her acting game up, but I hope this experience helped her with that.
Woo Tak managed to make me fall in love! He was absolutely amazing, I think Jung Hae In did a really good job with the character.
Lee Sang Yeob managed to play the perfect villain! His evil smirks were out of this world!
All in all, it was a really great drama and I'm glad I decided to watch it!
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Very creative, surprises at many turns, cute and believable romance
10/10 is my rating. This was a 2017 South Korean television series that consisted of 32 episodes (each episode is only ~30 minutes). Depending on where it is viewed after 2017 it may be collapsed to 16 episodes. There are three central characters who are able to see future events involving the trio in dreams. The primary male lead, Lee Jong-suk, plays prosecutor Jung Jae-suk, the other male lead is a police officer, Han Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in) and the female lead Bae Suzy plays Nam Hong-joo who is a reporter. Between the three they work together to change future events to avoid tragedy and to solve cases. I avoided watching this because of the title and I thought it was just a re-make or new interpretation of the American Movie by the same name. The two are not related at all.spoiler ? This series combines elements of all your favorite crime shows as a backdrop to an engaging story of friendships, family, and love. I enjoyed this movie from start to finish. It is a legal drama/romance that is exciting and engaging the entire way through. It also has a paranormal aspect with the dream element. This one definitely moves to the top of my list and I would recommend anyone who is a crime show fan to watch this one. The romance in it was also heartwarming and believable. This is one of my new favorites.
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this was ok
I think this series could have ended around episode 10! In fact, I wasn't keeping track and thought it was going to finish soon after ep 10!Here are some things I remember, bc even though I finished this one a few days ago, nothing really stands out to me about the story.
1. I didn't care for the leads romance. Mr Giant crab and Suzy... I didn't feel any enjoyable chemistry as the story progressed.
2. Woo-tak was my favorite character and I wished he had ended up with the girl at the end. Also, how we only saw his abs that one brief moment! And how his big secret was that he was color blind!
3. That scene where the two leads were locked in the burning trailer thing. I mean, wouldn't you grab a chair and just try to smash the barred windows open? They both just sat there in the fire ready to die. That was ridiculous. I actually paused this part and had to complain to my husband about how dumb that was.
I would still recommend this one to my friends. I enjoy kdramas that have light romance and a mystery.
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This is the kind of one watching drama Just once
First 2 EPs. Were brilliant
Then it goes down the hill for me
It gave me the feeling that the events were irrelevant to each other
If it was one big crime case it would be much more better and the story will be more solid for me
But the many different cases gave me the feeling that the writer just want to fill the drama
It's not on the same level of my expectations
And what frustrated me a lot, I found the romance in it was cold
Only very few times it was heart warming
And the kissing scene at the last ep. When she tried to support him wasn't really in it's place
But The scene where the ML was crying for the death of his assistant was really brilliant and so normal
Just one question was bothering me
They showed us when someone rescued your life from death you dream with his future
The FL saved the ML
So he normally should dream with her
So why she dreamt with him????
Any way if you need a light drama but not a remarkable one
This one is for you definitely
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Well I've been putting these for a long time cuz I'm never into main stream dramas. I finally gave it a chance after seeing some clips online and even till I finished the drama I did not see th reason for the hype for this drama. For me it seemed like an average drama. Yes Lee Jong Suk being there is amazing the supporting cast did their job well but nothing makes it staand out from other drama. I am not saying the drama was bad, it was far from that. The drama held it's ground but nothing made it exciting. Here are some points why it was in the lower ranga.1. The Plot
Nothing made it stand out. It seemed too average for me. A typical plot you find everywhere. The Korean writers should really stop this "I-met-you-when-you-were-small-and-already-fell-in-love-with-you-back-then troupe. I'm getting sick of it. Couldn't they have own childhoods before they met?
2. Acting
By any chance I am not saying the acting was bad, it was ok. This was after all what pushed Jung Hae In to the top but personally I felt his acting in Prison Playbook 1000000X better. There his emotions were clearly seen and he did a better job at portraying his character. Here I felt his character was two dimensional.Lee Jon Suk- This actor is really typecast-ed waaay too much. i did not see a difference between his character here from Pinocchio or Doctor Strange. IT's as if it's the same character that is being played over and over again with different families and careers. I don't know if his new role is better cuz if he keeps this up I wold most probably not watch his dramas anymore even. Last but not least Suzy. I never understood why she had so much criticism for her acting. Well one major reason maybe cuz I've only watched her in Dream High and I passed off her bad acting saying it's her first time but now I think I understand. Her acting chops really need to be improved. Rather than being just pretty it would be great if she can actually get some acting classes and improve herself. She managed the whole cutesy act well without making it cringey but that was all. All the other time her acting was far more suited for a very small supporting role than a female lead.
That being said I won't say I hate the story but rather it seems like cliche plot that has just been over-hyped due to the leads. Will I watch it again? Nope. I rather over-watch Prison Playbook to get my dose of Jung Hae In.
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"While You Were Sleeping: A Riveting Blend of Dreams and Destiny"
Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy shine in the captivating K-drama "While You Were Sleeping," where dreams become a mysterious bridge connecting two seemingly unrelated lives. Lee Jong Suk takes on the role of Jung Jae Chan, a rookie prosecutor, while Bae Suzy portrays Nam Hong Ju, who possesses the unique ability to foresee future events but often finds herself powerless to alter their course.The narrative unfolds as the two characters become neighbors, and their destinies intertwine in unexpected ways. The chemistry between Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy is palpable, adding depth to the emotional journey of their characters. The inclusion of a ruthless attorney, Lee Yu Beom, and a life-saving intervention sets the stage for a complex web of interconnected dreams and fates.
The brilliance of "While You Were Sleeping" lies not only in the stellar performances but also in its ability to keep viewers hooked with its unpredictable plot twists. The drama skillfully navigates between the realms of dreams and reality, making every episode a compelling piece of the puzzle. Lee Jong Suk's portrayal of the rookie prosecutor brings a refreshing energy to the series, while Bae Suzy's depiction of Nam Hong Ju adds a touch of vulnerability and strength.
"So good, so good, soo good..." This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of the drama. Despite its premise involving dreams, "While You Were Sleeping" keeps the audience wide awake and on their toes with its intricate storytelling and character development. It's a binge-worthy experience that seamlessly weaves together romance, mystery, and the supernatural, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating each twist and turn.
In short, "While You Were Sleeping" is a must-watch for K-drama enthusiasts, offering a perfect balance of heartwarming moments, suspense, and a touch of the extraordinary. Lee Jong Suk and Bae Suzy's on-screen chemistry, coupled with a well-crafted plot, make this drama a delightful journey that lingers in the hearts of its audience long after the final episode.
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A drama that will leave you euphoric
This drama was my absolute most favourite K drama. The storyline was just perfect, there was no cringy lines or scenes, the plot was neverendingly getting better leaving me hanging, and the acting of Lee jong suk and Bae Suzy was top notch. The duo definitely brought happiness and tears. The drama was very realistic and subtle as the drama left me wanting more as it didn't bore or tire me as my predictions on what might happen next were destroyed entirely. This drama made me cry almost with the superb ost (when the night falls- Eddy Kim & It's you- Henry Lau) that was ending the episodes. This drama has all the feels and anyone who likes some suspense, romance, drama and comedy you'll get it all in one package. Not to mention the chemistry between the two main characters was just perfect, it wasn't over the top and was just right again making it realistic. Definitely a must-watch!!!Was this review helpful to you?
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I am the tom holland of reviews so there may not be a spoiler in my reviews, It's just a precaution.READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!: Note I only really found 1 tiny "spoiler in this".
The first couple of episodes hooked me into the story. I felt that it stood out and the drama was also super fast in building relationships. One second you're just meeting someone, the next you are hugging them etc. This drama is quite different from other ones I've watched because of this. However, as the story moved on it got really slow and I found myself F.F (fast-forwarding) more than anything. The parts that I was able to watch were pretty good but nothing "Intimate" happened until the middle of the drama (The kiss {more like peck} that they had together). To add to the problems I felt that it was just the same problem over and over again ( Dream then save, Dream then save, Lawsuit { We already know the winner}). Besides the problems in the story, the actors did rather well. I enjoyed watching them in this drama and actually watched another with the male lead in it (Can't remember his name). I wouldn't recommend this drama to a lot of people but if you are really bored and looking for something somewhat interesting then this would be perfect.
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Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes, I am only one person. ^^
This is just my opinion, please don't come at me ^^^
XOXO,
Unbiaseduser
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